Applying for Jobs: Humor

Today I applied for another social work position. I had to write why I thought I was the best person for the position on the application.  I wrote two different statements. Guess which one I submitted?

STATEMENT A

I am the perfect candidate for this position because my husband said so. And it’s two blocks from his work, so I could eat lunch with him every day.  And when it comes to housing experience, this is our third house, and our 9^th place of residence, so I have lots of experience in that area, as well. 

STATEMENT B

I am the perfect candidate for this position because I am passionate about connecting others to resources that will improve the quality of their lives.  I truly believe that helping others secure safe housing is a huge step to help them move out of poverty.  I am a person committed to excellence and give my absolute best, not only for causes I feel passionate about, but also so I can live a life I feel proud of.  Additionally, I have a gentler spirit which allows me to be a person who is approachable and easy to work with, as well as allows me to be a great listener. By listening to the needs of individuals and of the organization I am better able to advocate on their behalf and provide effective services. 

Yes, obviously B, but I had to have a little fun with A, because all these applications can get tedious at times. :) Still excited to see what the future brings! 

Oh, I also applied for a writing opportunity too...I'm really excited about that possibility! :) #lifeisgood 

Rewind: Instagram Smiles

Here are a few of my instagram (and instaframe) photos from the past 10 days. All these things have made me smile! #lifeisgood

Back to school - 5th and 7th Grade!!
#yearsflyingby
 #nopausebutton

A little pinterest-inspired humor in the Baker House: 

Beauty on my morning walk! 

#Godsbeautyiseverywhere #suburbia

Free tickets to the Springfield Cardinal's game! With the Stinson's! Love them and this lil guy! #popcorn

And I made these fun dry-erase message boards for my etsy shop! (link in top right-hand column.) I just LOVE how they turned out!  

#HappyMarriage

Fall 1991 - First Started Dating
(glad now my sister was photo-snapping crazy!)

19 #hashtags for our #19thAnniversary

(or #19things that help our #marriage be #HappilyEverAfter)

1. #laughtogether
2. #spendtimetogether
3. #trynewthingstogether
4. #flirtoften 
5. #forgiveeasily
6. #shareresponsibilities
7. #touchoften
8. #gotobedatsametime
9. #livedebtfree #exceptmortgage
10. #smalltalk
11. #havemargininourlives #notalwaysbusy 
12. #annualgetaways
13. #doprojectstogether
14. #findwaystofallinloveoverandoveragain
15. #keepGodinthecenter
16. #bowchickawowwow 
17. #complimenteachother
18. #makeeyecontactdaily
19. #smileateachother 

July 2013 - A Day on the River

Anniversary Weekend Getaway
A few of our favorite things!

Girls' Weekend Getaway

We just got back from an anniversary getaway weekend (it was wonderful!!).  

The list below is why I never worry about my girls when we go away for the weekend.  You see Darian spoils them. Loves on them.  Makes them feel like the most important kids anywhere.  They had all this A to Z fun in the past 48 hours...

Andy's (of course)

Baseball with Henry

Chick-Fil-A

Duct Tape Crafts

Eat at Arby's

Fun with Fondant

Go to Farm Park & Feed the Ducks

Hole in One Mini Golf

I want Sonic

Jump into the Pool

Krispy Kreme

Lick the Bowl

Morgan makes Mickey Mouse waffles

New car - Darian's - yeah!!

Oodles of Toodles (lots of Mickey)

Pineapple Whip

Quite a show (TV)

Read Little Blue Truck

Snuggle with Henry

Towel Crafts

Up to Late watching TV

Video store (Nanny McPhee Returns)

Way too much TV

Xtra sleep - Girls watch Henry

Yuck - change dirty diapers

Zip down the slide!

On the way home I asked the girls their 3 favorite things, to which they responded, "Henry, Henry and um, Henry!" :) 

Five Minute Friday: Lonely

Linking up today for Five Minute Friday with Lisa Jo Baker! 

Today's topic: Lonely. 

Directions: Write for only 5 minutes and stop. Here we go! 


I love summertime.  When my girls laughter fills my home. (More arguing too.  It's part of growing.)  More time spent with my girls. More instilling values into them.  More creative messes. I love just having them home, and around, even if sometimes they are watching TV or playing with friends.  They fill my life with joy.

And next week school starts again. 5th and 7th graders, already!! I'm already worried about some of the loneliness that will creep in on the days I don't get called in to sub.  I know I have stuff I need to do, or should do.  I just like my family, home.

I think this is part of the reason I want to get a full time job -- something to do during the day. A place to be every day, relationships to connect with.  I think it would help me feel less lonely here during the day.

And yet, I know how blessed I am to have Mike, Morgan and Sarah sharing this journey with me, making it so sweet, and filling it so full.  I'm glad that when they are gone, I miss them. I miss their presence.  Lonely reminds me of the fullness and joy of relationship with them!

But I am super glad that I have the sweetest beagle ever, that helps fill those lonely hours.  She snuggles good! I love having her around.

Stop.

Rejection

It makes a tear slip out of the corner of my eye.

It whispers in my ear, attempting to convince me, "you aren't good enough."

It makes me text Mike, "Dumb is... dreaming dreams."

To which he responds, "Dumb is...not dreaming dreams." And so okay, maybe I agree with him.

You see this week I wanted to be celebrating. Celebrating having my story selected to be included in a crowd-published book releasing next week.  Celebrating being chosen and hired back into social work profession, at a job that seemed perfectly designed for me.

But guess what? My story wasn't chosen. And they hired someone who had more experience for my 'perfect' position. And although I'm flattered they liked me enough to forward my resume to human resources with a recommendation for consideration in future openings, in the end, it's still rejection.

And, it hurts. Even though I don't want it to have influence over me, it does.

However, in the midst of this, I'm trying to remind myself of truth. I'm trying to keep a clear perspective. I'm trying to think big picture, eternally.

I do believe God has put these dreams in my heart, for a reason.

I do believe that He has given me gifts, talents, abilities, passions and compassion, for today, and for tomorrow.

I believe He is writing the story of my life. And when I face rejection, I can trust, that even though I don't know what the future holds, I do know who holds the future.

It's my job to keep trusting. To persevere. To get up one more time and try again. To take a risk. To put myself out there. Even if it's hard.

Last week, laying awake in the middle of the night, asking God, "Is life going to get crazy? If I take a full-time job, will life just be insane?"  and somewhere, caught between awake and asleep, I heard these words whispered into my soul, "Life is about to get even more beautiful."  That is the voice I'm trusting through this rejection. This process of growing. This journey of living.

My life is quite beautiful already, so I'm excited to see what 'even more' awaits!


(I would also add to this list, Dr. Suess was rejected 27 times before having his writing published.)